Bryant, William Cullen (1794-1878) to James Thomas Fields
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01543.01 Author/Creator: Bryant, William Cullen (1794-1878) Place Written: Roslyn, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 June 1866 Pagination: 1 p. ; 19.9 x 12.4 cm. Order a Copy
Bryant writes to Fields, editor of the Atlantic Monthly. Transmits a poem, "The Death of Slavery" (GLC 1543.02). Remarks that the poem was "meditated a year since but written out within the last few days. I had a good deal of trouble with some of the stanzas, or you would have had it earlier. You will publish it if at all, when you please." Relates that his wife is ill. In a post script, notes, "What shall I call the poem. 'The Death of Slavery,' does not please me much but I can think of nothing else." Accompanied by three collateral prints of Bryant (two depicting an elder Bryant in profile with full beard, one portraying Bryant in his younger years). Collateral file also contains a partial printing of "The Death of Slavery," dated May 1866.
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